Mayor Proposes Merger of San Diego Police and Harbor Police
UPDATE: Mayor Todd Gloria has just proposed a bold idea to merge the Port of San Diego Harbor Police with the San Diego Police Department, aiming to address the city’s ongoing police staffing crisis. This surprising announcement was made at Politifest, an influential public affairs summit hosted by the nonprofit news outlet Voice of San Diego, held on July 15, 2023 at the University of San Diego.
The mayor described this merger as “a little more provocative” than his previous suggestions to improve police response through technology. With San Diego facing “extreme financial challenges,” Gloria believes that such a merger could immediately add an additional 140 officers to the city’s police force, which currently stands at 1,860 officers, falling short of the goal of 2,000 officers.
“We’re about 200 police officers short, and we have a Harbor Police Department that consists of about 140 police officers, that basically has overlapping jurisdiction,” Gloria stated during the event. He emphasized the urgent need for a solution, as public safety remains one of his top four priorities. Despite being one of the safest large cities in the U.S., San Diego’s police department has struggled with staffing for over a decade.
Currently, San Diego has only 1.3 police officers for every 1,000 residents, significantly below the national average of 2.4 officers per 1,000 residents. Earlier this year, the city attempted to boost recruitment through pay increases and incentives for current officers who bring in new recruits.
Gloria stated, “We should be asking ourselves fundamental questions about the way we choose to organize ourselves,” suggesting that merging forces could lead to greater efficiency and effectiveness. He believes this change could bring the city much closer to reaching its staffing goal.
When asked about the Port of San Diego’s feelings regarding the merger, Gloria indicated that this was merely an idea for discussion: “I was told the assignment was to throw ideas out there.” However, a spokesperson for the Port District declined to comment on the proposal.
Harbor Police currently provide law enforcement and marine firefighting within the Port of San Diego, serving areas including San Diego International Airport and patrolling over 14,000 acres of tidelands. Their budget stands at $57.5 million, supporting a staff of 179 officers. In comparison, the San Diego Police Department receives over $702 million from the city’s general fund, enough to support 2,031 sworn officers and around 523 professional staff.
While Police Chief Scott Wahl did not comment directly on the merger idea, spokesperson Lt. Travis Easter stated, “Whenever there is something that crosses over jurisdiction-wise, we are already wanting to help out. It is always one team.”
The merger proposal is not the only initiative Gloria discussed to enhance public safety. He also mentioned expanding the police department’s use of drones and integrating artificial intelligence to expedite report writing, allowing officers to spend more time in the field.
As discussions continue, all eyes will be on how San Diego officials will address these pressing staffing issues. With public safety at stake, the urgency for solutions has never been greater.
Residents and community leaders alike will be watching closely for updates on this developing story, as the potential merger could reshape law enforcement in San Diego.
